3 Large Private and Public Sector Bank Stocks With a Strong Future Roadmap: ICICI Bank, Central Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra

Large private and public sector bank stocks give investors exposure to deposits and loans for households, farmers, small firms and large companies. Credit growth, funding costs and asset quality decide how much of that reach turns into profit.

This list covers three large private and public sector bank stocks: ICICI Bank for retail, business and corporate banking with a digital platform, Central Bank of India for retail, agriculture and MSME lending through a public sector network and Bank of Maharashtra for retail, MSME and agriculture lending with a strong base in Maharashtra. Every figure comes from the latest reported financials and the 12 October 2026 market close. Companies without complete current figures were left out.

Click Here – Get Free Investment Predictions

What Are Large Private and Public Sector Bank Stocks?

Large private and public sector bank stocks are shares of companies that take deposits and lend to retail, farm, small business and corporate borrowers. Results depend on credit growth, funding costs and asset quality, so asset quality and funding costs separate the stronger names.

Large Private and Public Sector Bank Stocks at a Glance

The table compares size, valuation, return on equity and debt for the three large private and public sector bank stocks as of the 12 Oct 2026 close.

Among banking stocks, ICICI Bank trades at a premium to the industry P/E, while Central Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra trade at a discount.

Why Do Large Private and Public Sector Bank Stocks Have a Strong Roadmap in India?

Large private and public sector bank stocks have a strong roadmap in India because stronger balance sheets, steady deposit growth and rising credit demand support earnings at both private and public sector banks. Three drivers stand out.

• Cleaner books: Lower bad loans leave more earnings for growth.
• Deposit base: Wide branch networks bring in low-cost funds.
• Credit demand: Retail, MSME and corporate loans keep growing.

ICICI Bank: Retail Banking and Digital Reach Drive the Pipeline

ICICI Bank's roadmap rests on retail, business and corporate banking supported by a strong digital platform, with a diversified loan book and a growing deposit base supporting growth.

Revenue grew from Rs 157,536.32 crore in FY22 to Rs 312,118.36 crore in FY26, a 98.1% rise, and FY26 revenue was 6.0% higher than FY25. FY26 net profit rose 6.0% to Rs 57,673.39 crore. Over four years, net profit rose from Rs 25,783.83 crore in FY22 to Rs 57,673.39 crore. In Q1 FY27, revenue grew 6.9% to Rs 79,689.22 crore, and net profit rose 12.6% to Rs 16,209.74 crore.

Return on equity is 15.00%. ICICI Bank paid a dividend of Rs 12 per share for FY26, a yield of 0.88%. At a P/E of 16.27 against an industry P/E of 12.00, the stock trades above its industry multiple.

What to watch: The P/E of 16.27 sits above the industry P/E of 12.00, so earnings delivery matters for the valuation.

Central Bank of India: Wide Branch Network Anchors the Roadmap

Central Bank of India's roadmap rests on lending to retail, agriculture and MSME borrowers through a wide public sector bank network, with credit demand from households and small businesses supporting earnings.

Revenue grew from Rs 25,870.83 crore in FY22 to Rs 42,583.14 crore in FY26, a 64.6% rise, and FY26 revenue was 7.9% higher than FY25. FY26 net profit rose 14.9% to Rs 4,530.80 crore. Over four years, net profit rose from Rs 1,082.95 crore in FY22 to Rs 4,530.80 crore. In Q1 FY27, revenue grew 3.1% to Rs 10,714.39 crore, and net profit rose 5.4% to Rs 1,328.95 crore.

Return on equity is 12.31%. At a P/E of 5.94 against an industry P/E of 12.00, the stock trades below its industry multiple.

What to watch: The P/E of 5.94 against an industry P/E of 12.00 leaves valuation less stretched, so the next quarters' growth is the figure to follow.

Bank of Maharashtra: Maharashtra Deposit Strength Drives the Pipeline

Bank of Maharashtra's roadmap rests on retail, MSME and agriculture lending through a public sector bank with a strong base in Maharashtra, with steady deposit growth supporting the loan book.

Revenue grew from Rs 15,672.17 crore in FY22 to Rs 32,823.72 crore in FY26, a 109.4% rise, and FY26 revenue was 15.6% higher than FY25. FY26 net profit rose 26.6% to Rs 7,016.86 crore. In Q1 FY27, revenue grew 15.0% to Rs 9,063.53 crore, and net profit rose 26.8% to Rs 2,020.54 crore.

Return on equity is 22.24%. Bank of Maharashtra paid a dividend of Rs 1.2 per share for FY26, a yield of 1.46%. At a P/E of 8.37 against an industry P/E of 12.00, the stock trades below its industry multiple.

What to watch: The P/E of 8.37 against an industry P/E of 12.00 leaves valuation less stretched, so the next quarters' growth is the figure to follow.

Best Large Private and Public Sector Bank Stocks in India: ICICI Bank vs Central Bank of India vs Bank of Maharashtra on Key Financials

Among the best large private and public sector bank stocks in India, ICICI Bank ranks second on Q1 FY27 revenue growth and Q1 FY27 net profit growth; Central Bank of India leads on the lowest P/E; Bank of Maharashtra leads on FY26 revenue growth and Q1 FY27 revenue growth. The table puts the numbers side by side.

Bank earnings follow credit growth, funding costs and asset quality, so full-year numbers and quarterly trends together give a better view.

How to Evaluate Large Private and Public Sector Bank Stocks to Buy Before You Invest

A short checklist keeps the research consistent when you screen large private and public sector bank stocks and shortlist large private and public sector bank stocks to buy.

1. Compare each stock's P/E with its industry P/E, which is 12.00 for all three here.
2. Check gross NPA, capital adequacy and profit growth together.
3. Check whether revenue growth is turning into profit growth, not only sales.
4. Read loan growth against funding costs to see how growth is financed.
5. Watch capital adequacy and asset quality before sizing a position.
6. Spread exposure across companies and business lines instead of one demand cycle.

Check the Univest Screener for live data on these large private and public sector bank stocks

Risks to Consider Before Investing in Large Private and Public Sector Bank Stocks

• Asset quality: A rise in bad loans can reduce profit.
• Rate cycles: Changes in policy rates can move deposit costs and spreads.
• Quarterly trends: A single weak quarter can change near-term earnings, so track results every quarter.

Download the Univest iOS App or Univest Android App to track ICICI Bank, Central Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra live.

Final Take: Which Stock Has the Strongest Roadmap?

These three banking stocks cover retail, MSME and corporate lending from a large private bank and two public sector banks. ICICI Bank ranks second on Q1 FY27 revenue growth and Q1 FY27 net profit growth; Central Bank of India leads on the lowest P/E; Bank of Maharashtra leads on FY26 revenue growth and Q1 FY27 revenue growth.

Across large private and public sector bank stocks, each roadmap still has to turn growth into steady profit, so independent research and position sizing matter. Investors should consult a SEBI-registered advisor before acting on any of the large private and public sector bank stocks to buy discussed here.

FAQs on Large Private and Public Sector Bank Stocks

Which are the best large private and public sector bank stocks in India with a strong roadmap?

Ans. ICICI Bank, Central Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra stand out for their roadmaps in retail, MSME and corporate lending from a large private bank and two public sector banks. FY26 revenue growth was 6.0% at ICICI Bank, 7.9% at Central Bank of India and 15.6% at Bank of Maharashtra, and return on equity ranges from 12.31% to 22.24%.

Is ICICI Bank a good stock to buy now?

Ans. ICICI Bank has a return on equity of 15.00% and a P/E of 16.27 against an industry P/E of 12.00. Valuation, asset quality and rate cycles move results. This article is not investment advice, so consult a SEBI-registered advisor before deciding.

What is the P/E ratio of ICICI Bank, Central Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra?

Ans. The P/E ratio is 16.27 for ICICI Bank (industry 12.00), 5.94 for Central Bank of India (industry 12.00) and 8.37 for Bank of Maharashtra (industry 12.00). Only ICICI Bank trades at or above the industry multiple.

Which of these large private and public sector bank stocks has the highest return on equity?

Ans. Bank of Maharashtra has the highest return on equity at 22.24%, followed by ICICI Bank at 15.00% and Central Bank of India at 12.31%.

What are the risks of investing in large private and public sector bank stocks?

Ans. The main risks are asset quality, rate cycles and quarterly trends. A rise in bad loans can reduce profit.

How did ICICI Bank, Central Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra perform in Q1 FY27?

Ans. ICICI Bank reported revenue of Rs 79,689.22 crore, up 6.9% year on year, and net profit rose 12.6% to Rs 16,209.74 crore. Central Bank of India reported revenue of Rs 10,714.39 crore, up 3.1% year on year, and net profit rose 5.4% to Rs 1,328.95 crore. Bank of Maharashtra reported revenue of Rs 9,063.53 crore, up 15.0% year on year, and net profit rose 26.8% to Rs 2,020.54 crore.

Do large private and public sector bank stocks pay dividends?

Ans. ICICI Bank and Bank of Maharashtra pay dividends. The dividend yield is 0.88% for ICICI Bank and 1.46% for Bank of Maharashtra, based on dividends declared for FY26.

How can I invest in large private and public sector bank stocks in India?

Ans. You can buy large private and public sector bank stocks through a demat and trading account on NSE or BSE after checking each company's financials, margins and valuation. The Univest Screener lets you compare fundamentals before placing an order. Investments in securities are subject to market risk, so consider your risk profile first.